Denys Berinchyk vs. Keyshawn Davis: Who Wins?

But in watching tape of the fighter in his last outing, an SD12 win over Emanuel Navarrete on May 18, 2024, you see elements of his game which suggest why he is unbeaten, at 19-0 (8 KOs). The lightness on his feet, the great motor, the implacability as he dives into round after round with resolve. He sure as heck didn’t look 36 years old as he kept Navarrete from being a four-division champion.

OK, so maybe the Mexican is an “old” 30 and was too drained at 135, blah blah. Berinchyk is nothing resembling a pushover task, there to provide a valiant struggle at Davis’ graduation party. Navarrete found himself frustrated at the constant movement, mini feints and admitted he needed to work on his technique after the loss. I think it was not so much technique as it’s Bernichyk’s skill set built up over half a lifetime of learning the ways of the ring.

Denys Berinchyk Has Bark and Some Bite

Davis will see the Ukrainian in front of him Friday, not backing down, leading, but then looking to score best off counters. Yes, Berinchyk’s power isn’t A grade, so it could be that the Top Rank Valentine’s Day headliner shrugs it off and tries to handle him like he did Lemos. IF that occurs, then it will give ammo to those of the belief that Davis is special. I am dubious, not because I don’t rate Davis highly, but because Berinchyk is a tough mutt.

Is this a 50-50 fight? Scanning social media tells me that isn’t the public perception, that people are liking Davis to continue the momentum from the Lemos win. My suspicion, though, is that we see a distance fight, with “The Businessman” needing to draw on his full skill set and strategic input from trainer Brian McIntyre to get the W.

Common Foe Comparison Favors Keyshawn Davis

Yep, Davis stopped their common foe, Anthony Yigit. On April 8, 2023, he snagged a stop in round nine of a scheduled ten. His hands are heavier than his KO ratio suggests and Yigit’s face told you that, post-fight. BUT…Yigit was on his feet, answering, and the ref hopped in to “save” him, so it’s not like Davis assassinated him.

Yigit gained a win a month later over Jacob Quinn and stepped in to face, you guessed it, Berinchyk on August 26, 2023. Berinchyk took a clear UD12. Folks believing Davis is on the cusp of stardom likely see the common foe comparison as evidence that their instinct is correct. We shall see…

Brad, Bruce and Co Deserve Props

Shoutout to Top Rank’s matchmaking crew for this one. IF Davis elevates himself and comes through with a win AND does it in fine fashion, it will be earned.

MY PREDICTION: This fight will be better than most of ya’ll’s Valentine’s Day dates. Davis is going to be in it, so he will need to summon his best stuff and will be unsure of what Mark Shunock will say when reading the cards after the main event. Davis, UD, by 1-2 point margin is my guess, in the stiffest test of his young career.

Denys Berinchyk vs. Keyshawn Davis Betting Odds

Per DraftKings SportsBook, Keyshawn Davis is the favorite at -650, and Denys Berinchyk is the underdog at +450.

Denys Berinchyk: TKO/KO: +1600; Decision: +650

Draw: +2000

Keyshawn Davis: TKO/KO: +200; Decision: -140